Description
Despite their spotted coats, giraffes don't always escape the attention of predators. But they do know how to defend themselves by striking out powerful blows with their front hooves. They usually only do this when they need to protect their young, as adult giraffes are rarely attacked. When you get a chance to observe them up close, female giraffes are not difficult to distinguish from males. They are slightly smaller, and their ossicones are thin and covered with small tufts of hair. Male giraffes have thicker ossicones with no hair at the tips.